Lemon Shortbread Recipe π
Overview:
Indulge in the delightful tanginess of Lemon Shortbread, a melt-in-your-mouth treat that’s hard to resist! Perfect for any occasion, these buttery delights pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee. This recipe offers a twist with the addition of poppy seeds, enhancing the lemony flavor and adding a subtle crunch to each bite.
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 36 shortbread cookies
- Cuisine: Canadian, Scottish, European
- Category: Dessert
- Keywords: Lunch/Snacks, Cookie & Brownie, Lemon, Citrus, Fruit, Canadian, Scottish, European, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Winter, Christmas, < 60 Mins, Oven, Freezer, Easy
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon rind
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)
- Colored sugars for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, icing sugar, and fresh lemon rind. Stir until well mixed.
-
Incorporate Butter: Using a large spoon, blend in the softened butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
-
Form the Dough: Work the mixture with your hands until a soft, smooth dough forms. If you’re adding poppy seeds for the Lemon Poppyseed variation, this is the stage to mix them in thoroughly.
-
Roll Out the Dough: Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a rolling pin to achieve an even thickness.
-
Cut into Shapes: Using your favorite cookie cutters, cut out shapes from the rolled dough. Hearts, stars, and circles are classic choices, but feel free to get creative!
-
Arrange on Baking Sheets: Place the cut-out dough shapes on ungreased baking sheets, leaving some space between each cookie.
-
Optional Decoration: For a festive touch, sprinkle colored sugars over the cookies before baking. This adds a pop of color and a hint of sweetness.
-
Bake: Preheat your oven to 300Β°F (150Β°C). Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
-
Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Allow them to cool for at least 10 minutes before indulging.
Tips:
-
Freezing: Lemon Shortbread freezes exceptionally well. Simply store the cooled cookies in an airtight container or freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2 months.
-
Variations: Experiment with different flavor variations to suit your taste preferences. For a nutty twist, try adding 3/4 cup of finely chopped almonds to the dough for Lemon Almond Shortbread.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 60
- Total Fat: 3.9g
- Saturated Fat: 2.4g
- Cholesterol: 10.2mg
- Sodium: 27.5mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 6g
- Dietary Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugars: 1.7g
- Protein: 0.4g
Enjoy Your Lemon Shortbread Delights! πͺπ
Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering, enjoying a cozy afternoon, or simply treating yourself, these Lemon Shortbread cookies are sure to bring a smile to your face. With their irresistible tangy flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, they’re bound to become a favorite in your household. So whip up a batch today and indulge in a taste of citrusy bliss!